The 2021 Oscars Have Been Postponed

The 93rd Academy Awards will be held in 2021, but they won't occupy their traditional February spot on the calendar. Instead, Variety reports, the Oscars have been officially pushed back from February 28 to April 25, due to concerns over the ongoing COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.

The rescheduling has also affected the submission deadlines for various categories. Feature films will qualify if submitted between January 1, 2020 and February 28, 2021. Special categories, such as animated features, will need to be submitted by December 1, 2020. Nominations will be officially announced on March 15, 2021.

As for the show itself and the form it will take when April does finally roll around, things are less certain. Will the Dolby Theater be kept at half-capacity to maintain social distancing between nominees? What about the red carpet interviews? It's all still up in the air. ABC Entertainment president Katey Burke explained in a statement that "[We are in] uncharted territory this year and will continue to work with our partners at the Academy to ensure next year's show is a safe and celebratory event that also captures the excitement of the opening of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures."

Though the current pandemic certainly is uncharted territory, this is actually the fourth time the Oscars have been postponed. They were rescheduled in 1938, 1968, and 1981 as well.

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